Xavi sends message to Lionel Messi over Barcelona return

Barcelona manager Xavi has said the door is always open for Lionel Messi to return to the Nou Camp.

Messi’s extraordinary 17-year spell at Barca came to an end last summer as left the Spanish giants to join French club Paris Saint-Germain.

The Argentine established himself as one of the greatest players of all time during his time at Barcelona, scoring 672 goals in 778 appearances and winning ten La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.

Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, has underwhelmed in Paris, scoring just twice in 18 Ligue 1 appearances and being part of the side that were stunned by Real Madrid in the last round of the Champions League.

The 34-year-old has not commented on his future at PSG but La Liga chief Javier Tebas has said he wants him to return to Spain.

Xavi, who returned to the Nou Camp as Barcelona boss in November, was asked about Messi potentially returning ahead of this weekend’s El Clasico and said: ‘I think Messi is the best in history and in the history of the club.

‘The doors will be open, and as long as I’m a coach, it’s as if he can come every day if he wants.

‘As a club we owe him a great tribute. He has a contract with PSG and I can’t do much more.’

More to follow…